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Greater Johnstown School Board approves Garfield staffing, contracts and a districtwide spending freeze
Summary
At its April 7 meeting the Greater Johnstown Board of School Directors approved dozens of new and eliminated positions for the Garfield School opening, granted tenure, approved multiple vendor contracts (including fiber service and security), approved large fund bills and authorized a temporary expenditure freeze effective April 24, 2026.
The Greater Johnstown Board of School Directors on April 7 approved a wide slate of staffing moves and contracts as it continues preparations to open the Garfield School and closes out the 2025–26 fiscal year.
Board President Eugene Pentz called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. and the board approved the agenda after adding a personnel motion related to an employee termination. The board then recognized Jordyn Grant for achieving tenure and heard a report from High School Student Representative Alexandra Mock.
The meeting’s central business included approval of General Fund bills of $3,231,702.44 for February 2026 and Cafeteria Fund bills of $23,856.37 for February. The board approved a $45,000 proposal to install a Hobart dishwasher and associated stainless-steel work at Garfield School and renewed a contract with The Nutrition Group for 2026–27. The board also approved several budget adjustments and newly awarded grants, including an IDEA award of $763,766.83 and smaller grants noted in the record.
As part of Garfield School preparations the board authorized posting for a large list of professional and support positions for 2026–27, including multiple English, mathematics, science, special education, counselors, nurses, music, STEAM and related roles. The board also created a Cyber School ESL teacher position and approved extended-school-year teacher and paraprofessional appointments. Several previously held positions were approved for elimination effective at the end of the 2025–26 school year.
The board approved contracts and capital purchases to outfit the Garfield campus and district operations. Motions passed to buy Meraki MR46 wireless access points ($31,250) and HPE network switches ($28,794) with partial reimbursement through E‑Rate; to lease a color copier and Quadient cloud services; and to enter a 60‑month fiber internet master service agreement with Cogeco US Enterprise, LLC (d/b/a Breezeline) at $5,150 per month (partially E‑Rate reimbursed). The board also approved quotes for two 2026 Ford Interceptor SUVs and associated upfitting.
On security, after a recommendation from Les Paul Buchko, the board awarded the district security services contract to Tactical Threat at a rate of $27.13 per hour for site supervisors and guards for a three‑year term beginning in the 2026–27 school year.
Personnel actions included granting tenure to professional staff member Jordyn Grant and accepting the retirement notice of a kindergarten teacher effective Aug. 16, 2026. The board approved unpaid and child‑rearing leave requests and several contingent appointments, including a grant‑funded Teen Parenting Case Manager at a prorated $37,000. The board also voted to terminate Employee No. 3336 for abandonment of the position effective April 2, 2026; the administration was authorized to post the vacancy.
The board approved a renewal with Frontline Education for human capital/recruiting software at $20,965.30 for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, and approved a ProCare Therapy client assignment to hire a school psychologist at $90 per hour.
Administratively, the board authorized the Business Manager to freeze all district expenditures for the remainder of the 2025–26 fiscal year effective April 24, 2026, with the only exception being individuals in charge of spending grant funds. The board specified that all purchase orders and invoices needing payment should be submitted to accounts payable before the fiscal year close and that the final day to issue checks will be June 30, 2026.
Other approvals included the board’s support resolution for House Bill 41 concerning PIAA postseason structures, designation of district buildings as polling sites for the May 19, 2026 General Primary Election, and an agreement (pending grant approval) to replace interior locks at Park Avenue School at a cost not to exceed $51,250.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Votes at a glance: most motions passed unanimously; the March 3 minutes approval recorded eight ayes and one abstention (President Pentz) and the General Fund bills vote recorded eight ayes and one abstention (Randy Romesberg).
